That new $2, $3 fee on cable bill? Sports the culprit

7:18 AM,
Mar. 1, 2013

Written by

Michael Hiestand
USA TODAY Sports

There's a new wrinkle in the long-running blame game between pay-TV providers and programmers over the rising costs of TV sports. Some consumers now see separate $2-$3 charges, specifically tied to sports, on their monthly TV bills.

At least three pay-TV service providers - DirecTV, Cablevision and Verizon - have done that so far. DirecTV, the first to do so, says in a statement that its $3 monthly fee in select areas is meant to help offset the "skyrocketing costs of sports."

Indeed, those costs have skyrocketed. But that's only one of many nagging problems facing the distributors who bill ...